Organic light emitting display device

ABSTRACT

An organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of first sub-pixels arranged adjacent to each other along a first direction, each of the first sub-pixels includes a first emission region configured to emit light of a first color and a first transmission region configured to transmit external light, the first emission regions of at least two of the first sub-pixels are adjacent to each other; and a plurality of second sub-pixels arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction and adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality of first sub-pixels along a second direction crossing the first direction, each of the plurality of second sub-pixels includes a second emission region configured to emit light of a second color and a second transmission region configured to transmit external light, the second emission regions of at least two of the sub-pixels are adjacent to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2013-0014971, filed on Feb. 12, 2013 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to an organic light emitting displaydevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

Organic light emitting display devices are being widely applied topersonal portable devices, such as MP3 players and mobile phones, and toTVs due to characteristics such as wide viewing angle, high contrast,fast response speed, and low power consumption.

An organic light emitting display device is self-emissive, and thus, anadditional light source is not necessary, unlike in a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) device. Also, a thickness and a weight of the organiclight emitting display device may be less than that of an LCD device.

Also, an organic light emitting display device may be formed as atransparent display device by including transparent thin filmtransistors (TFTs) or organic light emitting diodes therein.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed toward atransparent organic light emitting display device having improvedtransmittance and capable of displaying an image that appearscontinuous.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan organic light emitting display device including: a plurality of firstsub-pixels arranged adjacent to each other along a first direction, eachof the plurality of first sub-pixels includes a first emission regionemitting configured to emit light of a first color and a firsttransmission region configured to transmit external light (e.g., withoutemitting light), wherein the first emission regions of at least two ofthe plurality of first sub-pixels are adjacent to each other; and aplurality of second sub-pixels arranged adjacent to each other along thefirst direction and adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality offirst sub-pixels along a second direction crossing the first direction,each of the plurality of second sub-pixels includes a second emissionregion configured to emit light of a second color different from thefirst color and a second transmission region configured to transmitexternal light, wherein the second emission regions of at least two ofthe plurality of second sub-pixels are adjacent to each other.

The first transmission region of one of the plurality of firstsub-pixels and the second transmission region of a corresponding one ofthe plurality of second sub-pixels may be adjacent to and separated fromeach other along the second direction.

At least one of the first and second transmission regions may be anisland.

The first transmission region of one of the plurality of firstsub-pixels and the second transmission region of a corresponding one ofthe plurality of second sub-pixels may be adjacent and connected to eachother along the second direction.

The first emission region of one first sub-pixel may be divided by thecorresponding first transmission region.

The second emission region of one second sub-pixel may be divided by thecorresponding second transmission region.

The first transmission region and the second transmission region mayhave areas that are different from each other.

Either the first or second sub-pixel having a light emission efficiencygreater than that of the other sub-pixel may have a transmission regionthat is larger than the transmission region of the other sub-pixel.

The first emission region and the second emission region may have shapesthat are different from each other.

The first transmission region and the second transmission region mayhave shapes that are different from each other.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an organic light emitting display device including: a pluralityof first pixel circuit units; a plurality of 1-1 electrodes adjacent toand separated from each other along a first direction, each of theplurality of 1-1 electrodes are electrically coupled to a correspondingone of the plurality of first pixel circuit units; a first emissionlayer on the plurality of 1-1 electrodes, the first emission layerconfigured to emit light of a first color; a plurality of second pixelcircuit units; a plurality of 2-1 electrodes adjacent to and separatedfrom each other along the first direction and adjacent to correspondingones of the plurality of 1-1 electrodes along a second directioncrossing the first direction, each of the plurality of 2-1 electrodesare electrically coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality ofsecond pixel circuit units; a second emission layer on the plurality of2-1 electrodes, the second emission layer configured to emit light of asecond color that is different from the first color; and a secondelectrode on the first and second emission layers, the second electrodeincludes a plurality of first transmission units, each at a portion of acorresponding one of the plurality of 1-1 electrodes and configured totransmit external light (e.g., without emitting light), and a pluralityof second transmission units, each at a portion of a corresponding oneof the plurality of 2-1 electrodes and configured to transmit externallight (e.g., without emitting light).

Ones of the plurality of first transmission unit and corresponding onesof the plurality of second transmission units may be adjacent to andseparated from each other along the second.

At least one of the first and second transmission units may be anisland.

One of the plurality of first transmission units and a corresponding oneof the plurality of second transmission units may be adjacent andconnected to each other along the second direction.

Ones of the plurality of first transmission units may be at an edgeportion nearest an adjacent one of the plurality of second transmissionunits of each of the plurality of 1-1 electrodes.

Ones of the plurality of second transmission units may be at an edgeportion nearest an adjacent one of the plurality of first transmissionunits of each of the plurality of 2-1 electrodes.

The first transmission units and the second transmission units may haveareas that are different from each other.

The first or second emission layer having a light emission efficiencygreater than that of the other emission layer may have a correspondingtransmission unit having an area that is larger than that of thetransmission unit corresponding to the other emission layer.

The first transmission units and the second transmission units may haveshapes that are different from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of embodiments of the presentinvention will become more apparent by describing, in detail,embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an organic light emitting displaydevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an organic light emitting displaydevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the organic emission unit shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in detail;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the organic emission unit of FIG. 3 in moredetail;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the organic emission unit takenalong the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a part of an organic emission unitaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view of a first sub-pixelaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a part of an organic emission unit accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to accompanying drawings. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of organic light emittingdisplay devices according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an organic light emitting display device accordingto an embodiment of the present invention includes an organic emissionunit 2 formed on a surface of a substrate 1 and a sealing unit 3 forsealing the organic emission unit 2.

According to the embodiment, the sealing unit 3 may include a sealingsubstrate 31. The sealing substrate 31 may be a transparent glasssubstrate or a transparent plastic substrate so as to transmit images(e.g., transmit light) from the organic emission unit 2 and to preventexternal air and/or moisture from infiltrating into the organic emissionunit 2.

Edges of the substrate 1 and the sealing substrate 31 (e.g., an areaincluding the periphery of the substrate 1 and the sealing substrate 31)are coupled to each other by a sealing material 32 so that a space 33between the substrate 1 and the sealing substrate 31 may be sealed. Amoisture absorbent and/or a filling material may be located in the space33.

As shown in FIG. 2, instead of using the sealing substrate 31, a thinsealing film 34 may be formed on or over the organic emission unit 2 toprotect and seal the organic emission unit 2 against external air and/ormoisture. The sealing film 34 may have a structure, for example, inwhich a layer formed of an inorganic material, such as silicon oxide orsilicon nitride, and a layer formed of an organic material, such asepoxy or polyimide, are alternately formed (e.g., stacked). However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and a sealing structure suchas a transparent thin film may be used as the sealing film 34.

The organic light emitting display devices according to the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be bottom-emission display devices thatdisplay images toward the substrate 1 (e.g., display images from theorganic emission unit 2 toward the substrate 1), top-emission displaydevices that display images toward the sealing substrate 31 or thesealing film 34 (e.g., display images from the organic emission unit 2toward the sealing substrate 31 or the sealing film 34), ordual-emission display devices that display images toward both thesubstrate 1 and the sealing substrate 31 or both the substrate 1 and thesealing film 34 (e.g., display images from the organic emission unit 2toward the substrate 1 and either the sealing substrate 31 or thesealing film 34).

Such organic light emitting display devices include a light emissionregion and a light transmission region so as to form a transparentand/or see-through display device.

However, sub-pixels arranged along lines and emitting light of the samecolor may appear disconnected (e.g., separated) due to the transmissionregions therebetween, thereby reducing a resolution of the displaydevice.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the disconnectedappearance of the display device occurring between emission regions ofsub-pixels arranged in a line and other sub-pixels arranged in a nextline (e.g., an adjacent line) may be addressed by making the emissionregions of the sub-pixels of the line and the sub-pixels of the nextline (e.g., adjacent line) appear as if they are connected to eachother.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the organic emission unit 2 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, first sub-pixels 21 and 21′ emit light of a firstcolor and are disposed (e.g., located or arranged) along a firstdirection D1 to form a column line. In addition, second sub-pixels 22and 22′ emit light of a second color and are disposed adjacent to thefirst sub-pixels 21 and 21′, respectively, along a second direction D2which crosses (e.g., is substantially perpendicular to) the firstdirection D1. The second sub-pixels 22 and 22′ are arranged along thefirst direction D1 to form another column line (e.g., an adjacent columnline). Third sub-pixels 23 and 23′ emit light of a third color and aredisposed adjacent to the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, respectively,along the second direction D2. The third sub-pixels 23 and 23′ arearranged along the first direction D1 to form yet another column line.The first color may be red, the second color may be green, and the thirdcolor may be blue.

The first sub-pixels 21 and 21′ respectively include first emissionregions 211 and 211′ and first transmission regions 212 and 212′,wherein the first color light may be emitted by the first emissionregions 211 and 211′ and external light may be transmitted (e.g.,without emitting light) through the first transmission regions 212 and212′.

The second sub-pixels 22 and 22′ respectively include second emissionregions 221 and 221′ and second transmission regions 222 and 222′,wherein the second color light is different from the first color lightand may be emitted by the second emission regions 221 and 221′ andexternal light may be transmitted (e.g., without emitting light) throughthe second transmission regions 222 and 222′.

The third sub-pixels 23 and 23′ respectively include third emissionregions 231 and 231′ and third transmission regions 232 and 232′,wherein the third color light is different from the first and secondcolor lights and may be emitted by the third emission regions 231 and231′ and external light may be transmitted (e.g., without emittinglight) through the third transmission regions 232 and 232′.

The first emission region 211 of one first sub-pixel 21 and the firstemission region 211′ of another first sub-pixel 21′, the another firstsub-pixel 21′ being adjacent to the first sub-pixel 21 along the firstdirection D1, are adjacent to each other.

The first transmission regions 212 and 212′ are formed as islands in thefirst emission regions 211 and 211′, respectively. That is, the firsttransmission regions 212 and 212′ are surrounded by (e.g., surroundedalong a periphery thereof by) the first emission regions 211 and 211′,respectively.

The second emission region 221 of one second sub-pixel 22 and the secondemission region 221′ of another second sub-pixel 22′, the another secondsub-pixel 22′ being adjacent to the second sub-pixel 22 along the firstdirection D1, are adjacent to each other.

The second transmission regions 222 and 222′ are formed as islands inthe second emission regions 221 and 221′, respectively. That is, thesecond transmission regions 222 and 222′ are surrounded by (e.g.,surrounded along a periphery thereof by) the second emission regions 221or 221′, respectively.

The third emission region 231 of one first sub-pixel 23 and the thirdemission region 231′ of another third sub-pixel 23′, the another thirdsub-pixel 23′ being adjacent to the third sub-pixel 23 along the firstdirection D1, are adjacent to each other.

The third transmission regions 232 and 232′ are formed as islands in thethird emission regions 231 and 231′, respectively. That is, the thirdtransmission regions 232 and 232′ are surrounded by (e.g., surroundedalong a periphery thereof by) the third emission regions 231 and 231′,respectively.

Accordingly, the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′ in the column line mayappear as if they are connected to each other. Likewise, the secondsub-pixels 22 and 22′ and the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′ may appear asif they are each connected to the corresponding other sub-pixel.

In addition, the transmission regions of the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′and second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, and the transmission regions of thesecond sub-pixels 22 and 22′ and the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′ aredisconnected, and thus, their respective transmitted external light maybe represented softly. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the firsttransmission regions 212 and 212′ and the second transmission regions222 and 222′, and the second transmission regions 222 and 222′ and thethird transmission regions 232 and 232′, which are adjacent to eachother along the second direction D2, are separated from each other sothat the transmission regions may not appear as lines (e.g., continuouslines) extending along the second direction D2 and the disconnectedappearance of the color display (e.g., of the emission regions) may bereduced or prevented.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the organic emission unit 2 of FIG. 3 inmore detail, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the organicemission unit 2 taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

First pixel circuit units 213 and 213′ are respectively disposed (e.g.,located) in the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′. Each of the first pixelcircuit units 213 and 213′ may include a thin film transistor T as shownin FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a buffer layer 111 is formed on a surface of thesubstrate 1, and the thin film transistor T is formed on the bufferlayer 111.

A semiconductor active layer 2131 is formed on the buffer layer 111.

The buffer layer 111 prevents impurities (e.g., impurity atoms) frominfiltrating while the surface of the substrate 1 is planarized and maybe formed of various materials capable of performing the above function.For example, the buffer layer 111 may be formed of an inorganicmaterial, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride,aluminium oxide, aluminium nitride, titanium oxide, or titanium nitride,an organic material, such as polyimide, polyester, or acryl, or astacked structure thereof. The buffer layer 111 may be omitted ifnecessary or desired.

The semiconductor active layer 2131 may be formed of polycrystallinesilicon; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is,the semiconductor active layer 2131 may be formed of oxidesemiconductor. For example, the semiconductor active layer 2131 may be aG-I-Z-O layer [(In₂O₃)_(a)(Ga₂O₃)_(b)(ZnO)_(c) layer](where a, b, and care real numbers satisfying conditions a≧0, b≧0, and c>0).

A gate insulating layer 112 is formed on the buffer layer 111 so as tocover or substantially cover the semiconductor active layer 2131, and agate electrode 2132 is formed on the gate insulating layer 112.

An inter-insulating layer 113 is formed on the gate insulating layer 112so as to cover or substantially cover the gate electrode 2132. A sourceelectrode 2133 and a drain electrode 2134 are formed on theinter-insulating layer 113 and each contact the semiconductor activelayer 2131 via corresponding contact holes.

The thin film transistor T is not limited to the above structure, andvarious structures of the thin film transistor T may be applied.

As shown in FIG. 4, second pixel circuit units 223 and 223′ are disposed(e.g., located) in the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, respectively, andthird pixel circuit units 233 and 233′ are disposed in the thirdsub-pixels 23 and 23′, respectively. Each of the second pixel circuitunits 223 and 223′ and each of the third pixel circuit units 233 and233′ may include the thin film transistor T shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a passivation layer 114 is formed on theinter-insulating layer 113 so as to cover or substantially cover thethin film transistor T, and a 1-1 electrode 214 is formed on thepassivation layer 114. The 1-1 electrode 214 may contact the drainelectrode 2134 of the thin film transistor T via a hole (e.g., a throughhole) formed in the passivation layer 114.

A pixel defining layer 115 is formed on the passivation layer 114 so asto cover edges of the 1-1 electrode 214 (e.g., the pixel defining layer115 is formed on the passivation layer 114 and along the periphery ofthe 1-1 electrode 214).

As shown in FIG. 4, 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ are separated from eachother and are respectively located in the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′.The 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ are electrically coupled to (e.g.,electrically connected to) the first pixel circuit units 213 and 213′,respectively. In FIG. 4, the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ overlap thefirst pixel circuit units 213 and 213′ (e.g., cover the first pixelcircuit units 213 and 213′), respectively; however, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. That is, the 1-1 electrodes 214 and214′ may be located so as not to overlap or cover the first pixelcircuit units 213 and 213′.

2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ are separated from each other and arelocated in the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, respectively. The 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′ are electrically coupled to (e.g., electricallyconnected to) the second pixel circuit units 223 and 223′, respectively.In FIG. 4, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ overlap the second pixelcircuit units 223 and 223′ (e.g., cover the second pixel circuit units223 and 223′), respectively; however, the present invention is notlimited thereto. That is, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ may be locatedso as not to overlap or cover the second pixel circuit units 223 and223′.

3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ are separated from each other and arelocated in the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′, respectively. The 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′ are electrically coupled to (e.g., electricallyconnected to) the third pixel circuit units 233 and 233′, respectively.In FIG. 4, the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ overlap the third pixelcircuit units 233 and 233′ (e.g., cover the third pixel circuit units233 and 233′), respectively; however, the present invention is notlimited thereto. That is, the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ may be locatedso as not to overlap or cover the third pixel circuit units 233 and233′.

The 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ may be shaped as rectangles, longersides of which extend along the first direction D1, as shown in FIG. 4.Likewise, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and234′ may have shapes similar to those of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and214′.

A first emission layer 215 is formed on (e.g., formed over) the 1-1electrodes 214 and 214′. Referring to FIG. 4, the first emission layer215 may be formed as a line (e.g., a continuous line) extending alongthe first direction D1. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto; that is, the first emission layer 215 may be patterned orformed to cover the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′.

A second emission layer 225 is formed on (e.g., formed over) the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′. Referring to FIG. 4, the second emission layer225 may be formed as a line (e.g., a continuous line) extending alongthe first direction D1. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto; that is, the second emission layer 225 may be patterned orformed to cover the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′.

A third emission layer 235 is formed on (e.g., formed over) the 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′. Referring to FIG. 4, the third emission layer235 may be formed as a line (e.g., a continuous line) extending alongthe first direction D1. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto; that is, the third emission layer 235 may be patterned orformed to cover the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′.

A second electrode 216 is formed to substantially cover the firstemission layer 215, the second emission layer 225, and the thirdemission layer 235. The second electrode 216 is an electrode to which acommon voltage is applied and is formed to substantially cover all thesub-pixels of the organic emission unit 2.

The 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, andthe 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ may be anode electrodes, and the secondelectrode 216 may be a cathode electrode. However, polarities of theabove-described electrodes may be opposite than in the above example.

The first emission layer 215, the second emission layer 225, and thethird emission layer 235 may be organic emission layers including anorganic emission material emitting red light, an organic emissionmaterial emitting green light, and organic emission material emittingblue light, respectively. Although not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at leastone or more organic layers including a hole injection transport layerand/or an electron injection transport layer may be further disposed(e.g., located) between each of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ and thesecond electrode 216. When the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ are anodeelectrodes and the second electrode 216 is a cathode electrode, anorganic layer including the hole injection transport layer injectionand/or transporting holes may be disposed between each of the firstemission layer 215, the second emission layer 225, and the thirdemission layer 235 and of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′,respectively. Also, an organic layer including an electron injectiontransport layer for injecting and/or transporting electrons may bedisposed between each of the first emission layer 215, the secondemission layer 225, and the third emission layer 235 and the secondelectrode 216. The hole injection transport layer and the electroninjection transport layer are common layers that may cover all thesub-pixels of the organic emission unit 2.

Organic layers including the first emission layer 215, the secondemission layer 225, and the third emission layer 235 may be formed invarious ways, such as by vacuum deposition, printing, and/or laserthermal transport.

The buffer layer 111, the gate insulating layer 112, theinter-insulating layer 113, the passivation layer 114, and/or the pixeldefining layer 115 may be formed as insulating layers having hightransmittance.

The 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, andthe 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ may be formed as transparent electrodes,semi-transparent electrodes, or reflective electrodes, and may include,for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide(ZnO), or indium oxide (In₂O₃).

The second electrode 216 may be formed as a transparent electrode, asemi-transparent electrode, or a reflective electrode, and may includesilver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium(Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), Ytterbium (Yb), or a compound thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, if the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ are formedin the transparent regions (e.g., transmission regions), they may beformed as transparent electrodes.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second electrode 216 includes atransmission window formed as an opening to form a transmission unit.

That is, first transmission windows 217 and 217′ of the second electrode216 transmit external light at locations corresponding to centerportions of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ and are formed as openingsto form first transmission units 218 and 218′. Second transmissionwindows 227 and 227′ of the second electrode 216 transmit external lightat locations corresponding to center portions of the 2-1 electrodes 224and 224 and are formed as openings to form second transmission units 228and 228′. Third transmission windows 237 and 237′ of the secondelectrode 216 transmit external light at locations corresponding tocenter portions of the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ and are formed asopenings to form second transmission units 238 and 238′. In the presentembodiment, the center portion is any portion except for end portions inthe first direction D1 of any of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′, and isnot limited to a location in the direct or exact center of the 1-1electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′ in either the first or second directions D1 andD2. That is, the first transmission units 218 and 218′ are not formed onportions corresponding to at least one edge of the 1-1 electrodes 214and 214′. In addition, the second transmission units 228 and 228′ arenot formed on portions corresponding to at least one edge of the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′, and the third transmission units 238 and 238′are not formed on portions corresponding to at least one edge of the 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′. Accordingly, the appearance of a disconnecteddisplay of the emission region due to the transmission units may bereduced.

As described above, because the first transmission units 218 and 218′,the second transmission units 228 and 228′, and the third transmissionunits 238 and 238′ are formed in the second electrode 216 that includesthe metal having a low transmittance and high reflectivity, the externallight transmittance of the first transmission regions 212 and 212′, thesecond transmission regions 222 and 222′, and the third transmissionregions 232 and 232′ of the sub-pixels of the organic emission unit 2shown in FIG. 3 may be high, and the light emission regions of adjacentsub-pixels along the first direction D1 may not appear as if they aredisconnected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, because the first emission layer 215and the 1-1 electrode 214 are located in the first transmission region212, the 1-1 electrode 214 may be formed as a transparent electrode.Because the first emission layer 215 is formed of a material that hashigh transmittance when a power is not applied thereto, the externallight transmittance of the first transmission region 212 may be high.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an organic emission unit according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows anotherembodiment of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′. The 1-1 openings 2141 and2141′, 2-1 openings 2241 and 2241′, and 3-1 openings 2341 and 2341′ maybe formed on regions substantially corresponding to the firsttransmission regions 212 and 212′, the second transmission regions 222and 222′, and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′ of the 1-1electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly,even when the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and224′, and the third electrodes 234 and 234′ are formed as reflectiveelectrodes, the external light transmittance of the first transmissionregions 212 and 212′, the second transmission regions 222 and 222′, andthe third transmission regions 232 and 232′ may not be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first sub-pixel 21 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the 1-1 opening2141 is formed in the 1-1 electrode 214, and a second opening 1141 isformed in the passivation layer 114. The 1-1 opening 2141 and the secondopening 1141 are formed in the region corresponding to the firsttransmission region 212. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7,the second opening 1141 is formed in or though the passivation layer114, and thus, the external light transmittance of the firsttransmission region 212 may be further increased. Although FIG. 7 onlyshows the first sub-pixel 21, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 may besimilarly applied to each of the second and third sub-pixels.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first emission layer 215 is in the firsttransmission region 212 (e.g., an opening is not formed in the firstemission layer 215 at a portion corresponding to the first transmissionregion 212); however, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thatis, the first emission layer 215 may have an opening at the portioncorresponding to the first transmission region 212.

Also, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the second opening1141 is formed only in or through the passivation layer 114; however,the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the secondopening may be formed in the interlayer dielectric 113, the gateinsulating layer 112, and/or the buffer layer 111 at a portioncorresponding to the first transmission region 212.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of another embodiment of the organicemission unit 2 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first transmission regions 212 and 212′ arelocated at center portions of the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′ along thefirst direction D1, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In addition,the second transmission regions 222 and 222′ are located at centerportions of the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, respectively, along thefirst direction D1, and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′ arelocated at center portions of the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′,respectively, along the first direction D1. Accordingly, the firstsub-pixels 21 and 21′ may not appear as if they are disconnected fromeach other along the first direction D1. The appearance of the secondand third sub-pixels 22, 22′, 23, and 23′ being disconnected from eachother along the first direction D1 may also be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′, thesecond sub-pixels 22 and 22′, and the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′;however, detailed structures shown in FIGS. 4 through 7 may be appliedthereto.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit 2 accordingto another embodiment in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first transmission regions 212 and 212′, thesecond transmission regions 222 and 222′, and the third transmissionregions 232 and 232′ have different sizes from each other, unlike theembodiment shown in FIG. 3. The sizes of the first transmission regions212 and 212′, the second transmission regions 222 and 222′, and thethird transmission regions 232 and 232′ may be determined according todifferences between light emitting efficiencies of the first emissionregions 211 and 211′, the second emission regions 221 and 221′, and thethird emission regions 231 and 231′, respectively. That is, the size ofthe transmission region of the sub-pixel having the emission regionwhich has a greater emission efficiency is increased (e.g., is largercompared with the transmission regions of the other sub-pixels), and thesize of the transmission region of the sub-pixel having the emissionregion which has a lower emission efficiency is reduced. The lightemission efficiencies of the emission regions may be determined by(e.g., according to) emission efficiencies of the light emission layersof the sub-pixels.

Accordingly, the size of the transmission region is reduced in thesub-pixel having a lower light emission efficiency, thereby preventingfurther reduction of the light emission efficiency. Also, light emissionefficiencies of pixels, each including sub-pixels emitting light ofdifferent colors, may be maintained (e.g., constantly maintained).

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′,the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, and the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′;however, detailed structures shown in FIGS. 4 through 7 may be appliedto the structure of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit 2 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first transmission regions 212 and 212′, thesecond transmission regions 222 and 222′, and the third transmissionregions 232 and 232′ are formed to have different shapes from eachother, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The second transmissionregions 222 and 222′ are formed as squares at a center portion along thesecond direction D2 of the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′, respectively,the first transmission regions 212 and 212′ are formed on side portions(e.g., on a portion of an edge extending along the first direction D1and nearest the second transmission regions 222 and 222′) of the firstsub-pixels 21 and 21′, and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′are formed on other side portions (e.g., a portion of an edge extendingalong the first direction D1 and nearest the second transmission regions222 and 222′) of the third sub-pixels 23 and 23′. The first transmissionregions 212 and 212′ and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′ areformed to be symmetric with each other about the second transmissionregions 222 and 222′, respectively. The second emission regions 221 and221′ are each separated into a plurality of portions along the firstdirection D1 by the second transmission regions 222 and 222′.

Ones of the first, second, and third transmission regions 212, 222 and,232 may be combined to form a large, rectangular transmission region andother ones of the first, second, and third transmission regions 212′,222′ and, 232′ may be combined to form another large, rectangulartransmission region.

Here, the first emission region 211 is adjacent to the other firstemission region 211′ along the first direction D1, the second emissionregion 221 is adjacent to the other second emission region 221′ alongthe first direction D1, and the third emission region 231 is adjacent tothe other third emission region 231′ along the first direction D1. Thus,the disconnected appearance of the colors may be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 inmore detail.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the 1-1 electrodes 214 and214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and234′ may be formed as rectangles, longer sides of which extend along thefirst direction D1, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Inaddition, the first emission layer 215, the second emission layer 225,and the third emission layer 235 may be similar to those shown in FIG.4. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, fourth transmissionwindows 2161 and 2161′ are formed in the second electrode 216. Thefourth transmission windows 2161 and 2161′ of FIG. 11 are formed as thefirst transmission windows 217 and 217′, the second transmission windows227 and 227′, and the third transmission windows 237 and 237′ of FIG. 4connected to each other along the second direction D2. By forming thefourth transmission windows 2161 and 2161′ in the second electrode 216,the first transmission units 218 and 218′ may be formed on regions ofthe 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the second transmission units 228 and228′ may be formed on regions of the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, andthe third transmission units 238 and 238′ may be formed on regions ofthe 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′. In the present embodiment, a region isany region or portion except for end portions in the first direction D1of any of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′, and is not limited to alocation in the exact or direct center of the 1-1 electrodes 214 and214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1 electrodes 234 and234′ in either the first or second direction D1 or D2.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 may be formed by using the 1-1electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′, and the 3-1electrodes 234 and 234′ similar to those shown in FIG. 11. That is, 1-1openings 2141 and 2141′ formed in the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′ mayopen toward the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ (e.g., extend across edgesof the first emission regions 211 and 211′ extending along the seconddirection D2 and nearest the second emission regions 221 and 221′), 3-1openings 2341 and 2341′ formed in the 3-1 electrodes 234 and 234′ mayopen toward the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ (e.g., extend across edgesof the third emission regions 231 and 231′ extending along the seconddirection D2 and nearest the second emission regions 221 and 221′), and2-1 openings 2241 and 2241′ may be formed in a portion except for aportion including an edge of the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′ (e.g., maybe formed in center portions of the 2-1 electrodes 224 and 224′). Inthis case, even when the 1-1 electrodes 214 and 214′, the 2-1 electrodes224 and 224′, and the third electrodes 234 and 234′ are formed asreflective electrodes, the external light transmittance in thetransmission regions may not be largely degraded.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, openings corresponding to the abovedescribed openings may be formed in the passivation layer 114, or beopenings formed in the inter-insulating layer 113, the gate insulatinglayer 112, and/or the buffer layer 111 at the portion corresponding tothe first transmission region 212.

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit 2 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first transmission regions 212 and 212′ areformed in center portions along the first direction D1 of the firstsub-pixels 21 and 21′, the second transmission regions 222 and 222′ arelocated in center portions along the first direction D1 of the secondsub-pixels 22 and 22′, and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′are located in center portions along the first direction D1 of the thirdsub-pixels 23 and 23′, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.Accordingly, the disconnected appearance of a display due to theseparation of the first sub-pixels 21 and 21′ along the first directionD1 may be reduced. Likewise, the second sub-pixels 22 and 22′ and thethird sub-pixels 23 and 23′ may not appear to be disconnected.

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit 2 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 14, each of the first emission regions 211 and 211′are separated into a plurality of portions (e.g., two portions) alongthe first direction D1 by (e.g., based on) the first transmissionregions 212 and 212′, respectively, each of the second emission regions221 and 221′ are separated into a plurality of portions (e.g., twoportions) along the first direction D1 by the second transmissionregions 222 and 222′, respectively, and each of the third emissionregions 231 and 231′ are separated into a plurality of portions (e.g.,two portions) along the first direction D1 by the third transmissionregions 232 and 232′, respectively. Accordingly, the external lighttransmittance of the organic emission unit 2 may be improved, and thedisconnected appearance of colors along the first direction D1 may bereduced.

Although not shown in FIG. 14, 1-1 electrodes, 2-1 electrodes, and 3-1electrodes may be formed as rectangles, longer sides of which extendalong the first direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, and the secondelectrode 216 may be patterned or formed to correspond to the firsttransmission regions 212 and 212′, the second transmission regions 222and 222′, and the third transmission regions 232 and 232′. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and the 1-1 electrodes, the2-1 electrodes, and the 3-1 electrodes may be formed similar to the 2-1electrodes 224 and 224′ and the 2-1 openings 2241 and 2241′ shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. Moreover, the second opening 1141 may be formed in thepassivation layer 114 as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of the organic emission unit 2 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 15, fourth sub-pixels 24 and 24′ emit light of afourth color that is different from the first through third colors andare disposed (e.g., located) adjacent to the third sub-pixels 23 and23′, respectively, along the second direction D2, in addition to havinga structure similar to that shown in FIG. 3. The fourth sub-pixels 24and 24′ are arranged along the first direction D1 to form one columnline. The fourth color light may be white.

The fourth sub-pixels 24 and 24′ respectively include fourth emissionregions 241 and 241′ and fourth transmission regions 242 and 242′. Thefourth emission regions 241 and 241′ emit light of the fourth color, andexternal light transmits (e.g., without emitting light) through thefourth transmission regions 242 and 242′.

The fourth emission region 241 of the one fourth sub-pixel 24 and thefourth emission region 241′ of the other fourth sub-pixel 24′ areadjacent to each other in the first direction D1.

Other components are similar to those shown in FIG. 3, and descriptionsthereof are omitted here.

As described above, the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 illustrates astructure in which one pixel includes four sub-pixels emitting differentcolor light, for example, red, green, blue, and white, and the structurein which the one pixel includes four sub-pixels may be applied to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, 13, and 14.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organic light emitting display devicecomprising: a plurality of first sub-pixels arranged adjacent to eachother along a first direction, each of the plurality of first sub-pixelscomprises a first emission region configured to emit light of a firstcolor and a first transmission region configured to transmit externallight, wherein the first emission regions of at least two of theplurality of first sub-pixels are adjacent to each other; and aplurality of second sub-pixels arranged adjacent to each other along thefirst direction and adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality offirst sub-pixels along a second direction crossing the first direction,each of the plurality of second sub-pixels comprises a second emissionregion configured to emit light of a second color different from thefirst color and a second transmission region configured to transmitexternal light, wherein the second emission regions of at least two ofthe plurality of second sub-pixels are adjacent to each other.
 2. Theorganic light emitting display device of claim 1, wherein the firsttransmission region of one of the plurality of first sub-pixels and thesecond transmission region of a corresponding one of the plurality ofsecond sub-pixels are adjacent to and separated from each other alongthe second direction.
 3. The organic light emitting display device ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second transmissionregions is an island.
 4. The organic light emitting display device ofclaim 1, wherein the first transmission region of one of the pluralityof first sub-pixels and the second transmission region of acorresponding one of the plurality of second sub-pixels are adjacent andconnected to each other along the second direction.
 5. The organic lightemitting display device of claim 4, wherein the first emission region ofone first sub-pixel is divided by the corresponding first transmissionregion.
 6. The organic light emitting display device of claim 4, whereinthe second emission region of one second sub-pixel is divided by thecorresponding second transmission region.
 7. The organic light emittingdisplay device of claim 1, wherein the first transmission region and thesecond transmission region have areas that are different from eachother.
 8. The organic light emitting display device of claim 7, whereineither the first or second sub-pixel having a light emission efficiencygreater than that of the other sub-pixel has a transmission region thatis larger than the transmission region of the other sub-pixel.
 9. Theorganic light emitting display device of claim 1, wherein the firstemission region and the second emission region have shapes that aredifferent from each other.
 10. The organic light emitting display deviceof claim 1, wherein the first transmission region and the secondtransmission region have shapes that are different from each other. 11.An organic light emitting display device comprising: a plurality offirst pixel circuit units; a plurality of 1-1 electrodes adjacent to andseparated from each other along a first direction, each of the pluralityof 1-1 electrodes are electrically coupled to a corresponding one of theplurality of first pixel circuit units; a first emission layer on theplurality of 1-1 electrodes, the first emission layer configured to emitlight of a first color; a plurality of second pixel circuit units; aplurality of 2-1 electrodes adjacent to and separated from each otheralong the first direction and adjacent to corresponding ones of theplurality of 1-1 electrodes along a second direction crossing the firstdirection, each of the plurality of 2-1 electrodes are electricallycoupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of second pixel circuitunits; a second emission layer on the plurality of 2-1 electrodes, thesecond emission layer configured to emit light of a second color that isdifferent from the first color; and a second electrode on the first andsecond emission layers, the second electrode comprises a plurality offirst transmission units, each at a portion of a corresponding one ofthe plurality of 1-1 electrodes and configured to transmit externallight, and a plurality of second transmission units, each at a portionof a corresponding one of the plurality of 2-1 electrodes and configuredto transmit external light.
 12. The organic light emitting displaydevice of claim 11, wherein ones of the plurality of first transmissionunits and corresponding ones of the plurality of second transmissionunits are adjacent to and separated from each other along the seconddirection.
 13. The organic light emitting display device of claim 11,wherein at least one of the first and second transmission units is anisland.
 14. The organic light emitting display device of claim 11,wherein one of the plurality of first transmission units and acorresponding one of the plurality of second transmission units areadjacent and connected to each other along the second direction.
 15. Theorganic light emitting display device of claim 14, wherein ones of theplurality of first transmission units are at an edge portion nearest anadjacent one of the plurality of second transmission units of each ofthe plurality of 1-1 electrodes.
 16. The organic light emitting displaydevice of claim 14, wherein ones of the plurality of second transmissionunits are at an edge portion nearest an adjacent one of the plurality offirst transmission units of each of the plurality of 2-1 electrodes. 17.The organic light emitting display device of claim 11, wherein the firsttransmission units and the second transmission units have areas that aredifferent from each other.
 18. The organic light emitting display deviceof claim 17, wherein the first or second emission layer having a lightemission efficiency greater than that of the other emission layer has acorresponding transmission unit having an area that is larger than thatof the transmission unit corresponding to the other emission layer. 19.The organic light emitting display device of claim 11, wherein the firsttransmission units and the second transmission units have shapes thatare different from each other.